Are My Oscars Going To Mate, Or Are They Fighting?

[scotty_bob]

Hi There,

We have 2 oscars in a 4ft tank, and have had them since they where young. we only got 2 at that stage, as we didn't realise we should have bought 4 or more to try and get a pair. However, we initially thought we were quite lucky and got a pair straight up, as they were always happy together, until recently.

We understand that Oscars can get aggressive when bonding, however we would like some advice as the smaller of the two gets a few battle scars every now and again.

I have uploaded a video as that is the best way to show you. They liplock at the start, and they do this quite often, but then at the end of the video, they start to rub sides together quite gently.

Also, the smaller of the two seems to hide in the pot we have in the tank alot of the time, i'm not sure why. Is he/she getting beaten up to much?

www.jameskitchens.com.au/oscars.3gp

Pretty sure you need quicktime to view it, as its from my mobile phone.

if anyone has trouble viewing the video, email me at scott@jameskitchens.com.au and i will reply with it attached.

Any advice is appreciated....

Cheers

Scotty and Bec

 

[shelaghfishface]

i can see a still and it appears to play but dosent

 

[scotty_bob]

i can see a still and it appears to play but dosent

Hi There,

I'm sorry it didn't work, and thank you for your reply....

please try www.jameskitchens.com.au/oscars.zip

this should download a file, rather than try to play a video through Internet Explorer.

Cheers

Scotty and Bec

 

[ox5477]

Even though it is extremely rare to be able to get a couple from two individuals picked at random, it doesn't seem like this sqauring off is anything vicious, so I would say its more mating right now then territorial dispute. But, I would still watch them as they grow to make sure things don't take a turn for the worst. The 4' (what Gallonage is this? much more helpful than just the length as this can be any number of sizes of tank) they are in right now looks to have little to no visual break-ups so if they do begin to get more rough then they will need to be seperated into their own tanks....

Tough thing about o's is that because the male and female look the same, the only way too tell which sex they are is to see a pair form and spawn or actually look inside the fish at their sexual organs... Just keep aware of their behavior and as long as things stay as casual as this, they are fine together